City Experience

This week, our Year 9 students took part in the highly anticipated City Experience program, spending five busy days exploring Melbourne’s CBD and everything the city has to offer.

City Experience is an important part of the Year 9 program, giving students the opportunity to build independence, connect their learning to the real world, and develop a greater understanding of the community around them.

Throughout the week, students visited a range of iconic Melbourne locations and took part in a variety of activities. Highlights included the Shrine of Remembrance, Eureka Skydeck, the MCG and Sports Museum, and Queen Victoria Market. Students also explored Melbourne’s artistic and cultural side through visits to The Ian Potter Centre (NGV), the Australian Music Vault, and ACMI.

Students were encouraged to explore the many things that make Melbourne unique, including its food, fashion, sport, and culture. They also learnt more about important social issues such as homelessness and social enterprises, helping them see the city from different perspectives.

Activities like the Amazing Race and Flash Forward challenged students’ teamwork, problem-solving, and navigation skills as they explored Melbourne’s laneways and public spaces. Students also visited the Police Museum and took part in activities that promoted collaboration, resilience, and independence.

Throughout the program, students travelled to and from the city each day using public transport. Travelling in small groups with teachers rotating between groups encouraged students to make responsible decisions, manage their time effectively, and grow in confidence as the week progressed.

One of the biggest highlights of the week was observing the maturity shown by students and the positive way they represented the College the community. Despite the cold weather, students embraced every opportunity with enthusiasm and positivity, and it was fantastic to see their confidence and independence grow across the week.

Student Highlights

Jacque: City Experience has been a highlight of our year. We have learned new and valuable skills. Queen Victoria Market was an incredible journey and we have loved traveling with our class around the city.

Lucy: Our experience in the city this week was incredible and adventurous. The MCG was a fun and memorable experience and the games were entertaining.

Gabe: I had a fun time at the MCG because there was a lot of information about sport and there was a room of fun, interactive activities to do.

Alice: Going to a book store and buying a book.

Asha: This week has been a an amazing part of year 9, we have learnt a lot of skills such as communication, solving problems and working our way around the city. We also enjoyed going out and eating lunch with our friends.

Sophia: City experience helped us learn how to be city smart, ACMI was a highlight of my experience because it showed us evolution.

Emily: My favourite part of city experience has been being able to explore new places with my friends

Aila: I enjoyed taking public transport in the mornings and trying out the interactive stuff at ACMI.

San Nuam: My favourite part of the city experience was all the laughs and moments with the group.

Bowie: We had lots of fun at the sky deck.

Ben: I enjoyed going to the mcg and learning about the history of it.

Lance: I enjoyed doing the amazing race because we got a lot of freedom.

Noah: I liked meeting new people like Gazza (Graham - MCC Tour Guide)  at the G.

Noor, Hayley & Archana: Our group has spent a week in the city doing lots of activities and going to a lot of famous destinations such as Shrine of remembrance, MCG, Queen Victoria Market, Eureka Skydeck, The National Gallery Victoria and ACMI. We have learned a lot of valuable information about the city and its history. We now understand public transport as well as some of the routes on Trams. We had so much fun, it was such a fun experience and to learn a lot about Melbourne and Victoria’s history as well as enjoying the city’s views.

Jake, Charlotte & Alex: Our group has had an amazing week. We travelled around the city exploring many new places and trying vast amounts of activities. We have been to the sky deck, mcg, vic market and many more. Though with all these great adventures there has been adversity for we have gotten lost been attacked by less fortunate people in a store and had to spend our money wisely.

Jake, Jaden &  Oliver: Our group has had an excellent week, we went to all different places like eureka, police museum and Acmi discovered all new and weird unique things about the city like the ANZ museum, we learnt to take all types of different trains and trams to arrive to our destination.

Venice, Sunny, Holly, Matisse & Xander: The Year 9 City Experience in Melbourne was a really fun experience that helped our group become more independent and confident. Exploring the city with friends, using public transport, and trying new things made it exciting and memorable. 

Highlights from Group F: 

~ This is been valuable. It’s giving me a great opportunity to further develop and grow my skills with navigating public transport in the city.

~ This experience has taught us how city life requires responsibility, different cultures and endless opportunities into one unforgettable experience.

~ Was a great chance to conquer New Heights referral about Eureka Skydeck. 

~ "One man can’t carry one footy team." - MCG

A big thank you to all staff who supported the program and to our Year 9 students for their enthusiasm, engagement, and excellent behaviour throughout the week.

Erin Robinson

Leader of Student Management & Engagement - Years 9 & 10.